“Behold, A Clear Voice Thunders”

Last year around this time I posted translations of some medieval Latin Advent hymns. So, in that spirit, here is another, which continues the practice of reminding its singers of both the First and Second Coming. The imagery of light is prominent throughout the poem, from the first line to the last stanza (“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” [Rev. 22.16–see Walpole, and cf. 22.5]. Each time, Christ comes as the light that chases away darkness–first, to awaken, forgive, cleanse, restore, heal; second, to judge.

John the Baptist calls Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and so the hymn speaks of Christ’s full satisfaction (ut tollat omne noxium) and of free forgiveness (laxare gratis debitum). It is, in addition, evangelical and exhortatory: let us all repent in the time of God’s mercy (omnes…vocem demus).